Tethering and Google Apps

[PBX-Tech]

I am currently a BlackBerry user that might be switching to the Atrix but I do have a couple of questions that I am unclear on.

1. Tethering - I see in the specs that this device will do tethering via the Hot Spot feature, but what about using the data cable? My desktop doesnt have WiFi.
2. I understand that you need a gmail account for the phone. My registrar, who I have my domain through, uses Google Apps. I have all my email accounts through the Google Apps feature and I am assuming that this would work for setting up the phone. The only difference is, the gmail accounts are xyz@gmail.com where my personal email account through Google Apps is me@MyDomain.com. Will this make a difference?
3. How many email accounts can you setup on the Atrix?
4. Does the gmail email account work like the BlackBerry push email accounts? Meaning, the phone isnt looking every 15 min or so for email but rather the gmail account is pushing to the phone?
5. I have read on other forums and here that Microsoft Exchange 2007 will sync to the Atrix. I also read on the Motorola forums that there were problems getting either the Atrix or Droid in general, dont remember which, to sync consistently. Does anyone have any info about that?

Thanks for any help.

 

[ItsDrew]

I can answer that:
1) Android is 100% capable os USB tethering, however AT&T might disable this service on the Atrix. Time will tell on this one
2) I use my Google Apps account perfectly on Android. The Google apps account Administrator needs to enable Mobile Sync, as well as allow Google Labs and you should be good to go. Mine works perfectly.
3) I have 4 email accounts set up and it works fine. I don't think there is a limitation, however, the more accounts you have, the more syncing you will be doing and the less battery life you will have.
4) Gmail is push. I get notifications on my phone before any other medium.
5) I can't answer this one..

 

[SirGeorgeKillian]

Drew, could you expand on the Mobile Sync and Google Labs? I am a Google Apps user, and my iPhone worked great for that email account. Is this something that I will have to do to make it work with my Atrix? Or will it just make it work mo better?

 

[Effington]

Apparently Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP1 does not play nice with Android. My company just upgraded their server and now about half of the Android users can't get their mail. That's what they (we) get for being cutting edge I guess...

 

[terrrrrible]

We're on Exchange 2007; I should be picking up my phone later today, so I'll post my results on syncing my account when it's done.

 

[TheAspec]

...
2) I use my Google Apps account perfectly on Android. The Google apps account Administrator needs to enable Mobile Sync, as well as allow Google Labs and you should be good to go. Mine works perfectly.

The only problem I have found with this is you can't use the Market to purchase apps. Even if you add Google Checkout to your abc@mydomain.com email address/account the phone will tell you "No accounts with Checkout". From all my reading/research you have to have a abc@gmail.com account to use Checkout in the market. Of course free apps will install but no paid apps.

Maybe you know something I don't? I have always heard this is a complaint with Google (requiring users to have @gmail.com account to purchase apps) but don't see anyway around it.

 

[KoukiFC3S]

1. pdanet is free on the market and works great for usb tethering.

 

[PBX-Tech]

Wow, I had to dig back 3 pages just to find this thread I started from last night. Hopefully My Google Apps account can be configured to buy apps if need be, may need to play with that.

Thanks for the help.

 

[ItsDrew]

In your Google Apps email account with Admin Access. Click on > Manage This Domain > Service Settings > Mobile > Enable Google Sync (Check it).
Then
Click on Domain Settings > Check both boxes under New Services and Pre-Release Features > Save Changes

If you have multiple calendars you want to sync, on your mobile device go to m.google.com and select Sync and select the calendars you want to sync.

 

[hawkns]

Just FYI, if your Google Apps domain administrator has "transitioned" your account, you shouldn't have an issue using it with Checkout.

See this link for more info: Before the transition - Accounts Help